Fitness Trainers and Instructor Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
There are several two-year and four-year colleges and universities offering degree programs in exercise science, nutrition and fitness, physical education or sports medicine. It is very important for fitness trainers and instructors to be certified by a top certification organization. It is particularly helpful for fitness, aerobics, or any other kind of sports trainers. To obtain this certification, applicants need to have a high school diploma, be at least 18 years old, have a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate and also pass an exam. The certificates are generally valid for a period of up to 2 years, following which the fitness trainer and instructor will need to be recertified by opting for continuing education classes or conferences, writing articles or giving presentations.
Training and Education
Successful employees find it useful to have a postsecondary vocational award. According to recent surveys, 47% of fitness trainers and instructors had received a degree. Workers with some schooling beyond high school, but not a college degree, total about 32%. A high school degree was all that was needed for 21% of employees.
Job Overview
Fitness trainers and instructors lead and motivate individuals or groups through exercise activities. These include cardiovascular exercises, strength training and stretching. Fitness trainers and instructors generally work in health facilities, country clubs, yoga and Pilates studios, hospitals, resorts, universities and even homes of their clients. They demonstrate techniques and methods of working out, observe the participants and suggest corrective measures whenever necessary.
Job Requirements
Fitness trainers and instructors are not provided any on-the-job training. They are generally employed on the basis of their past experience. Training and education required for them is dependent on the specific type of fitness work they deal with. To better their chances of employment, fitness trainers and instructors can also take college-level courses in anatomy, biology and kinesiology, or opt for a bachelor's degree in sports medicine, exercise science or physical education.
Fitness trainers and instructors need to have an outgoing and motivational approach. They should have good communication skills and be sensitive towards the needs of the clients. Also, keeping in mind the nature of their jobs, fitness trainers and instructors should themselves possess excellent health and physical fitness.
Nature of Work
Fitness trainers and instructors usually work at gyms and sport clubs. They work directly with clients and gym users, giving them instructions about how to use fitness equipment and test each individual’s fitness levels, skills and abilities. Trainers also give suggestions regarding their client’s diet plans and monitor their weight loss programs.
Since the work of trainers and instructors requires them to spend majority of their time inside fitness centers and health clubs, they are prone to various physical injuries. Fitness trainers and instructors usually get a lot of autonomy where they can choreograph or plan their own classes, and design and implement their clients’ workout routines.
Area Job Conditions
Looking at fitness trainers and instructors per capita, Danbury (Connecticut), Great Falls (Montana), and Kankakee (Illinois) rise to the top of the list. El Paso (Texas), Brownsville (Texas), and Chattanooga (Tennessee) have the fewest per capita.
The highest salaries for workers are in and around Barnstable (Massachusetts), New York (New York), and Trenton (New Jersey). The lowest-paying areas are Odessa (Texas), Beaumont (Texas), and Elizabethtown (Kentucky).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Fitness trainers and instructors working less than full time, whether by design or chance, were 38% of the total. If you have this occupation and work on your own rather than for another company, you are part of the 8% of workers who do so.
Career Videos
Fitness Trainers and Instructors by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $32,000 | 110 | +62% |
| Birmingham | $36,000 | 620 | -29% |
| Florence | $32,000 | 70 | -14% |
| Gadsden | $37,000 | 80 | +54% |
| Huntsville | $31,000 | 210 | -41% |
| Mobile | $31,000 | 170 | -44% |
| Montgomery | $34,000 | 350 | +26% |
| Tuscaloosa | $32,000 | 150 | +1% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $35,000 | 520 | +82% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $36,000 | 100 | +13% |
| Kingman | $27,000 | 50 | -32% |
| Phoenix | $33,000 | 3,460 | +10% |
| Prescott | $35,000 | 140 | +65% |
| Tucson | $39,000 | 680 | +13% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $27,000 | 460 | +31% |
| Fort Smith | $23,000 | 110 | -47% |
| Hot Springs | $18,000 | 70 | +29% |
| Jonesboro | $30,000 | 80 | +11% |
| Little Rock | $30,000 | 420 | -31% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $41,000 | 170 | -62% |
| Chico | $38,000 | 200 | +79% |
| Fresno | $38,000 | 370 | -34% |
| Los Angeles | $42,000 | 6,170 | -15% |
| Merced | $32,000 | 70 | -22% |
| Modesto | $37,000 | 260 | -1% |
| Napa | $43,000 | 80 | -20% |
| Oakland | $46,000 | 2,230 | +25% |
| Oxnard | $39,000 | 1,130 | +117% |
| Redding | $28,000 | 100 | +5% |
| Riverside | $36,000 | 1,880 | -12% |
| Sacramento | $41,000 | 2,050 | +33% |
| Salinas | $35,000 | 280 | +3% |
| San Diego | $38,000 | 2,410 | +3% |
| San Francisco | $54,000 | 3,130 | +77% |
| San Jose | $51,000 | 1,520 | -5% |
| San Luis Obispo | $33,000 | 470 | +208% |
| Santa Ana | $39,000 | 1,550 | -40% |
| Santa Barbara | $39,000 | 390 | +36% |
| Santa Cruz | $44,000 | 300 | +111% |
| Santa Rosa | $45,000 | 560 | +88% |
| Stockton | $36,000 | 200 | -45% |
| Vallejo | $37,000 | 330 | +65% |
| Visalia | $37,000 | 110 | -52% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $41,000 | 690 | +165% |
| Colorado Springs | $36,000 | 420 | -4% |
| Denver | $41,000 | 3,330 | +50% |
| Fort Collins | $45,000 | 390 | +85% |
| Grand Junction | $31,000 | 130 | +45% |
| Greeley | $36,000 | 180 | +54% |
| Pueblo | $23,000 | 80 | -11% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $48,000 | 1,650 | +119% |
| Danbury | $40,000 | 140 | +28% |
| Hartford | $35,000 | 1,090 | +7% |
| New Haven | $42,000 | 340 | -28% |
| Norwich | $34,000 | 160 | -22% |
| Waterbury | $34,000 | 100 | -8% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $32,000 | 140 | +74% |
| Wilmington | $30,000 | 960 | +68% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $42,000 | 5,040 | +16% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $40,000 | 270 | -19% |
| Deltona | $35,000 | 450 | +73% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $25,000 | 1,610 | +30% |
| Jacksonville | $32,000 | 1,230 | +15% |
| Lakeland | $35,000 | 240 | -26% |
| Miami | $40,000 | 1,030 | -41% |
| Naples | $37,000 | 310 | +66% |
| Ocala | $25,000 | 60 | -58% |
| Orlando | $33,000 | 1,120 | -38% |
| Palm Bay | $23,000 | 260 | -23% |
| Pensacola | $35,000 | 210 | -17% |
| Punta Gorda | $28,000 | 80 | +35% |
| Sarasota | $27,000 | 600 | +40% |
| Sebastian | $38,000 | 130 | +78% |
| Tallahassee | $35,000 | 250 | -9% |
| Tampa | $33,000 | 2,250 | +10% |
| West Palm Beach | $26,000 | 1,000 | +9% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $34,000 | 110 | -4% |
| Atlanta | $42,000 | 2,970 | -28% |
| Augusta | $28,000 | 230 | -35% |
| Brunswick | $29,000 | 70 | +12% |
| Columbus | $29,000 | 190 | +3% |
| Savannah | $36,000 | 210 | -17% |
| Warner Robins | $25,000 | 40 | -52% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $31,000 | 410 | -47% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $28,000 | 620 | +36% |
| Coeur Dalene | $30,000 | 100 | +27% |
| Pocatello | $44,000 | 90 | +102% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $39,000 | 160 | -6% |
| Chicago | $36,000 | 8,080 | +20% |
| Decatur | $20,000 | 130 | +86% |
| Kankakee | $25,000 | 100 | +60% |
| Peoria | $21,000 | 190 | -35% |
| Rockford | $25,000 | 210 | -12% |
| Springfield | $27,000 | 200 | +12% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $26,000 | 70 | +22% |
| Bloomington | $24,000 | 80 | -29% |
| Elkhart | $29,000 | 90 | -50% |
| Evansville | $25,000 | 280 | -4% |
| Fort Wayne | $29,000 | 170 | -52% |
| Gary | $40,000 | 340 | -28% |
| Indianapolis | $42,000 | 1,150 | -28% |
| Lafayette | $21,000 | 110 | -10% |
| Michigan City | $22,000 | 50 | -20% |
| South Bend | $33,000 | 170 | -22% |
| Terre Haute | $22,000 | 100 | -8% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $22,000 | 60 | +7% |
| Davenport | $23,000 | 290 | -10% |
| Des Moines | $26,000 | 790 | +37% |
| Iowa City | $30,000 | 190 | +67% |
| Waterloo | $30,000 | 60 | -57% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $27,000 | 200 | +201% |
| Topeka | $21,000 | 350 | +90% |
| Wichita | $30,000 | 1,070 | +113% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $37,000 | 70 | -20% |
| Elizabethtown | $17,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Lexington | $28,000 | 350 | -16% |
| Louisville | $28,000 | 1,010 | -6% |
| Owensboro | $30,000 | 100 | +36% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $26,000 | 510 | -22% |
| Houma | $24,000 | 70 | -55% |
| Lafayette | $39,000 | 150 | -38% |
| Lake Charles | $29,000 | 80 | -45% |
| New Orleans | $28,000 | 660 | -30% |
| Shreveport | $22,000 | 110 | -64% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $29,000 | 80 | -18% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $38,000 | 3,260 | +39% |
| Bethesda | $42,000 | 1,670 | +63% |
| Cumberland | $27,000 | 60 | +8% |
| Hagerstown | $22,000 | 370 | +131% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $49,000 | 140 | -15% |
| Boston | $49,000 | 4,770 | +53% |
| Brockton | $32,000 | 210 | +42% |
| Framingham | $61,000 | 330 | +18% |
| Haverhill | $33,000 | 260 | +94% |
| Lawrence | $47,000 | 120 | +27% |
| Leominster | $55,000 | 100 | +30% |
| Lowell | $53,000 | 340 | +69% |
| New Bedford | $34,000 | 90 | -13% |
| Peabody | $36,000 | 250 | +48% |
| Pittsfield | $34,000 | 120 | +149% |
| Springfield | $37,000 | 600 | +15% |
| Taunton | 100 | +45% | |
| Worcester | $46,000 | 430 | -2% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $43,000 | 360 | +26% |
| Battle Creek | $32,000 | 50 | -38% |
| Detroit | $29,000 | 260 | -78% |
| Grand Rapids | $29,000 | 450 | -32% |
| Holland | $37,000 | 70 | -56% |
| Jackson | $28,000 | 70 | -7% |
| Kalamazoo | $31,000 | 210 | -8% |
| Lansing | $33,000 | 310 | -9% |
| Muskegon | $24,000 | 80 | -9% |
| Niles | $24,000 | 80 | -13% |
| Warren | $28,000 | 1,870 | -3% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $22,000 | 140 | -36% |
| Mankato | $23,000 | 140 | +58% |
| Minneapolis | $32,000 | 2,830 | -11% |
| Rochester | $30,000 | 170 | 0% |
| St Cloud | $25,000 | 70 | -56% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $31,000 | 140 | -22% |
| Hattiesburg | $27,000 | 100 | +11% |
| Jackson | $33,000 | 460 | +4% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $19,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Columbia | $29,000 | 70 | -46% |
| Jefferson City | $24,000 | 140 | +17% |
| Joplin | $20,000 | 100 | -22% |
| Kansas City | $31,000 | 1,950 | +8% |
| Springfield | $31,000 | 220 | -33% |
| St Joseph | $24,000 | 40 | -50% |
| St Louis | $25,000 | 2,510 | +5% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | $24,000 | 240 | +193% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $31,000 | 470 | +72% |
| Omaha | $31,000 | 800 | -4% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $31,000 | 1,450 | -4% |
| Reno | $40,000 | 320 | -3% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $26,000 | 370 | +115% |
| Nashua | $35,000 | 370 | +59% |
| Portsmouth | $26,000 | 150 | +65% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | $40,000 | 1,280 | +38% |
| Edison | $43,000 | 3,510 | +91% |
| Newark | $41,000 | 2,360 | +32% |
| Trenton | $59,000 | 620 | +57% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $34,000 | 920 | +35% |
| Las Cruces | $18,000 | 110 | +8% |
| Santa Fe | $29,000 | 40 | -60% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $34,000 | 810 | +2% |
| Binghamton | $21,000 | 120 | -36% |
| Buffalo | $28,000 | 670 | -32% |
| Elmira | $26,000 | 70 | +21% |
| Kingston | $30,000 | 200 | +108% |
| Nassau | $50,000 | 1,870 | -17% |
| New York | $61,000 | 11,410 | +22% |
| Poughkeepsie | $35,000 | 600 | +40% |
| Rochester | $32,000 | 1,130 | +26% |
| Syracuse | $34,000 | 480 | -13% |
| Utica | $23,000 | 110 | -48% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $28,000 | 290 | -5% |
| Charlotte | $32,000 | 1,780 | +17% |
| Durham | $38,000 | 480 | 0% |
| Goldsboro | $22,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Greensboro | $26,000 | 660 | +5% |
| Greenville | $33,000 | 40 | -63% |
| Hickory | $25,000 | 120 | -52% |
| Raleigh | $35,000 | 1,830 | +100% |
| Wilmington | $39,000 | 180 | -22% |
| Winston Salem | $21,000 | 1,220 | +235% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $21,000 | 140 | +34% |
| Fargo | $22,000 | 360 | +76% |
| Grand Forks | $20,000 | 90 | +20% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $26,000 | 260 | -54% |
| Canton | $23,000 | 260 | -9% |
| Cincinnati | $28,000 | 1,720 | -5% |
| Cleveland | $28,000 | 720 | -61% |
| Columbus | $28,000 | 1,220 | -26% |
| Dayton | $23,000 | 460 | -32% |
| Lima | $24,000 | 130 | +59% |
| Springfield | $25,000 | 60 | -19% |
| Toledo | $31,000 | 350 | -32% |
| Youngstown | $27,000 | 240 | -39% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $23,000 | 40 | -36% |
| Oklahoma City | $28,000 | 840 | -18% |
| Tulsa | $34,000 | 760 | 0% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $38,000 | 300 | +198% |
| Corvallis | $62,000 | 70 | +78% |
| Eugene | $34,000 | 500 | +110% |
| Medford | $28,000 | 80 | -36% |
| Portland | $42,000 | 1,700 | -7% |
| Salem | $31,000 | 260 | +2% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $27,000 | 560 | -8% |
| Altoona | $22,000 | 60 | -38% |
| Erie | $26,000 | 310 | +43% |
| Harrisburg | $23,000 | 410 | -27% |
| Johnstown | $20,000 | 80 | -10% |
| Lancaster | $27,000 | 500 | +22% |
| Lebanon | $22,000 | 40 | -43% |
| Philadelphia | $30,000 | 4,340 | +27% |
| Pittsburgh | $28,000 | 1,510 | -26% |
| Reading | $27,000 | 190 | -33% |
| Scranton | $27,000 | 260 | -43% |
| State College | $23,000 | 160 | +60% |
| York | $28,000 | 640 | +111% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $35,000 | 1,210 | +22% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $34,000 | 510 | +1% |
| Columbia | $29,000 | 540 | -12% |
| Florence | $30,000 | 120 | -7% |
| Greenville | $33,000 | 400 | -24% |
| Myrtle Beach | $27,000 | 30 | -84% |
| Spartanburg | $25,000 | 170 | -12% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $23,000 | 90 | -12% |
| Sioux Falls | $26,000 | 380 | +61% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | $24,000 | 100 | +94% |
| Jackson | $33,000 | 70 | -25% |
| Johnson City | $33,000 | 150 | +29% |
| Kingsport | $26,000 | 70 | -66% |
| Knoxville | $22,000 | 1,370 | +134% |
| Memphis | $32,000 | 580 | -47% |
| Nashville | $28,000 | 740 | -44% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $26,000 | 110 | +9% |
| Amarillo | $31,000 | 120 | -32% |
| Austin | $38,000 | 2,360 | +68% |
| Beaumont | $25,000 | 180 | -35% |
| Brownsville | $26,000 | 40 | -82% |
| College Station | $29,000 | 130 | -14% |
| Dallas | $45,000 | 3,190 | -15% |
| El Paso | $22,000 | 150 | -68% |
| Fort Worth | $30,000 | 1,220 | -21% |
| Houston | $42,000 | 2,840 | -40% |
| Killeen | $32,000 | 110 | -49% |
| Laredo | $20,000 | 50 | -61% |
| Longview | $27,000 | 60 | -62% |
| Lubbock | $31,000 | 150 | -29% |
| Mcallen | $37,000 | 140 | -65% |
| Midland | $34,000 | 50 | -50% |
| Odessa | $34,000 | 30 | -66% |
| San Angelo | $24,000 | 110 | +74% |
| Sherman | $28,000 | 60 | -5% |
| Tyler | $35,000 | 240 | +62% |
| Wichita Falls | $28,000 | 60 | -31% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $20,000 | 50 | -32% |
| Ogden | $35,000 | 570 | +66% |
| Provo | $30,000 | 320 | +10% |
| Salt Lake City | $36,000 | 770 | -29% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $28,000 | 310 | +66% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $37,000 | 250 | +76% |
| Harrisonburg | $27,000 | 210 | +138% |
| Lynchburg | $23,000 | 60 | -63% |
| Richmond | $35,000 | 1,410 | +29% |
| Roanoke | $33,000 | 290 | +9% |
| Virginia Beach | $26,000 | 1,250 | -7% |
| Winchester | $33,000 | 80 | +3% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $36,000 | 180 | +51% |
| Mount Vernon | $40,000 | 150 | +120% |
| Olympia | $38,000 | 310 | +89% |
| Seattle | $42,000 | 3,320 | +32% |
| Spokane | $33,000 | 400 | +13% |
| Tacoma | $27,000 | 900 | +95% |
| Yakima | $34,000 | 70 | -49% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington | $21,000 | 60 | -68% |
| Parkersburg | $23,000 | 70 | -36% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $21,000 | 420 | +119% |
| Eau Claire | $21,000 | 120 | +0% |
| Green Bay | $19,000 | 520 | +81% |
| Janesville | $19,000 | 70 | -31% |
| La Crosse | $21,000 | 140 | +21% |
| Madison | $33,000 | 650 | +9% |
| Milwaukee | $26,000 | 1,680 | +13% |
| Oshkosh | $22,000 | 200 | +39% |
| Racine | $27,000 | 160 | +33% |
| Wausau | $26,000 | 120 | +13% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $27,000 | 80 | +46% |
| Cheyenne | $18,000 | 80 | +23% |